Illinois Gambling Helpline Calls Doubled in Size in 2023

In the context of Illinois’ gambling industry constantly growing and reshaping due to sports betting exploding, new casinos opening frequently, and slot machines taking over, the current rise in the number of problem gamblers should not come as a surprise. 

According to recent data, Prairie State gamblers and their families are getting in touch with the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at disturbingly high rates.

Close to 16,000 Helpline Calls in 2024 and Counting

Halfway through the current year, Illinois residents initiated 15,998 phone calls, chats, and text messages to the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline while on pace to contact the helpline 23% more times than last year.

The number is higher than that of any other US state except for California, whose residents used the helpline 29,674 times by July 1, 2024.

Texas is ranked second behind Illinois with 15,699 helpline contact occurrences. 

In 2023, residents initiated 25,287 phone calls, chats, and text messages to the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. 

The figure represents more than double from 2022’s 12,342 calls and texts.

David Wohl, Illinois Council on Problem Gambling’s executive director, spoke about past years when “watching a football game” didn’t also include betting discussions, which is now a common occurrence in announcers’ speeches. 

“The more people are exposed to it, then you could draw the conclusion that more people may start to develop gambling problems,” he said, adding gambling has turned into an omnipresent activity today. 

“That just blows my mind,” he said. 

The “Are You Really Winning?” Campaign

Executive director Wohl also believes that the “Are You Really Winning” advertising campaign that was launched by the Illinois Department of Human Services two years ago is also responsible for the growing number of calls to the national helpline. 

The campaign, which encouraged gamblers to pay attention to problem gambling signs such as borrowing money to pay off gambling-related debts or not being honest about the exact amounts they wager, convinced many players to seek help. 

Nonetheless, despite the campaign trying to address problem gambling as a mental and public health issue, in 2023 alone, state residents played $1.5 billion at casinos, marking a $173 million increase from 2022. 

They also wagered $960 million in online sports betting, compared to roughly $760 million in the previous year. 

In terms of losses, as per data from the Illinois Gaming Board and the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, residents recorded $2.9 billion in slot machine play at video gaming parlors and bars, a figure that was approximately $200 million higher compared to 2022. 

This automatically translates to bigger wins for operators. 

Simplified Bets, One of the Culprits

Wohl also emphasized the simplicity that today’s bettors enjoy when placing wagers on their favorite games and sports. 

Oftentimes, they simply pick up the phone and wager large sums “without breaking a sweat.” 

While most people are aware of how to set limits and when to disrupt their gambling once the said limits are reached, a small percentage of players cannot stop when they know they should. 

This puts them at risk of dealing with a gambling disorder in the future. 

Last month, State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. said he wanted to see iGaming reach state residents in 2025, expressing his view that the momentum was in their favor in the upcoming legislative session.